City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047
Marcus’ Message
This month, I’m excited to welcome Chief April Morse to our team as the new Police Chief of Midvale. In place of my usual “Marcus’ Message,” I asked Chief Morse to share her story and journey with you.
Chief Morse has an impressive background in law enforcement, having worked in various roles from patrol to K9, special victims to violent crimes, and overseeing SWAT and internal a airs for the Unied Police Department. What truly stands out about Chief Morse is her unique combination of law enforcement experience and her quali cations as a licensed social worker.
And as you can tell by our recent Halloween adventures, she is dino-mite! I am con dent that Chief Morse will excel in tackling immediate challenges in our city while also focusing on the root issues that lead to more sustainable solutions. I encourage you to read her article and get to know the vision she has for our police department and our community.
N OVEMBER 2024
CITY NEWSLETTER
801-567-7235
Rocky Mountain Power 877-508-5088
By Mayor Marcus Stevenson
A Journey of Service
By Uni ed Police Department Midvale Precinct Chief April Morse
In May of 1997, I embarked on a career that would provide experiences, opportunities, and relationships, shaping who I was to become and proving to be an incredible adventure. I began my law enforcement career at the young age of twenty-one at the Salt Lake County Sheri ’s O ce. I did not have much life experience, but I did have a strong calling to serve.
I started working in the Jail and quickly made it out to patrol, where I spent ve years responding to any type of call imaginable. I loved to interact with folks within the community I served and found a niche in trying to locate and stop illegal drug laboratories. This was noticed by a commander, who asked if I would accept a transfer to the DEA Metro Narcotics Task Force. It was in that assignment I was able to combine my love for dogs into a career path. I began working with K9 O cer Lacey, a yellow lab trained to detect drugs. She became my constant companion and partner for the next several years.
I was recruited from the Task Force to join the Homicide Unit, and I was able to take my K9 partner with me as a cadaver dog. We handled all kinds of cases, including death calls, robberies, and adult sexual assaults. K9 Lacey and I had the opportunity to work all over Utah, Colorado, and Idaho.
I began to pursue career advancement and started working diligently outside of the o ce on my education. Soon I was promoted to Sergeant and returned to a patrol assignment. I then moved into an investigator role in our Internal A airs Unit. I would investigate complaints of o cer misconduct and was part of the accountability process within our organization. I was promoted to Lieutenant within Internal A airs and began managing the unit as the supervisor.
During that assignment I began to understand how mismanagement of trauma and stress could develop into behavioral issues. In an e ort to learn more I enrolled at Boston University where I obtained a Master of Social Work. This began the pursuit of understanding mental health and wellness in rst responders.
I conducted research and, with my agency’s approval, applied for and received several mental health-related grants. Through these programs, we were able to implement various policies and training courses to educate our o cers and sta on trauma and how to protect their mental health. By supporting healthy and well-balanced o cers, they can bring that health into the community.
In January of 2023, I had the opportunity to embark on a master level program with the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virgina. I participated in a 10-week training course, learning topics such as leadership, critical thinking, strategic planning, and other related courses with law enforcement commanders from around the world. It also was an experience living in a dorm room with a roommate I had never met before (fortunately, I was assigned a good one.)
When I returned as a National Academy graduate, I was excited to put these skills to the test. I served as the Special Operations Commander for a year, and when the opportunity came to participate in the competitive selection process for the Precinct Chief of Midvale, I couldn’t wait to try.
Midvale is a dynamic community that truly feels like a small town, with quaint neighborhoods and mom and pop shops, yet it’s located in the middle of everything. The recent community development along Main Street is inspiring, and I am delighted at the opportunity to be a small part of what Midvale has to o er. I learned throughout my career and at the National Academy that I believe in service and look forward to serving the men and women of Midvale as we work together to create a safe and thriving community for all.
In The Middle of Everything
Nature Has the Final Word
Life is taking root in land that was once barren and lifeless. World-renowned mural artist Erik Burke beautifully depicted the journey of contamination, learning, and renewal of the contamination left behind after the Sharon Steele Corporation, a smelting and ore milling facility, closed in the 1970s.
The mural covers the concrete parking garage on the west side of the new Zions Bancorporation Technology Center building (7860 Bingham Jct Blvd.). It’s a beacon on the hill that can be seen as your drive or ride Trax from west to east on 7800 S. You can also easily access it from the business parking lot if you want an up-close and personal look.
Midvale City, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Utah Department of Environmental Quality, and KC Gardner Company, has been working hard for more than 30 years to reclaim what was once dead, unusable, and contaminated, aiming to restore the land to its natural state.
The title of the mural is “Nature has the Final Word.” And undeniably it does.
The soil in front of the mural is teeming with flowers and native plants, making it hard to imagine it was once lifeless. Although the Sharon Steel facility helped the Salt Lake Valley’s economy, its waste devastated the land and drove away plants and animals. The pollution was so bad that before any new buildings could be built, a protective layer had to be added deep in the soil to stop the contaminations from affecting the water and soil of the new homes and businesses.
The mural covers four stories of the parking garage, a whopping 1,932 sq. ft. It only took Erik and his assistant, Nick Dauria (a mural artist himself), nine days to complete.
The owers sprout from an open book, showing that we’re willing to tell the history of what was done wrong here and where we’re headed instead. It’s a symbol of learning from our history and how to take better care in the future.
“It’s rewriting and renaming and creating a new chapter.,” Burke said. “It seems like they’re doing their best to be environmentally sound, a better job creator, and stewards.
The owers on the mural re ect the natural beauty of the Wasatch Front. The painted owers are desert native, ones that grow with no human intervention: Blue ax, hyacinths, sego lily, Utah’s state ower, columbine, lupine, desert marigold, gladiolus, desert globe mallow. The background features the high mountains, down to the plains and water in our valley, tying together the natural beauty of our valley and what it can be with conscientious preservation.
The materials are the best of the best; paint that is UV ray resistant and will hold its richness over a decade. A top-coat will help keep the paint from chipping and fading from the intense western sun, to the freezing temperatures our State sees over the year. With the technology and protections, this mural will be a striking xture for a decade or more.
The project was completed in collaboration with the business where the mural is located. Zions Bancorporation proudly supports both the
restoration of the land and local art initiatives.
“At Zions Bancorporation’s Technology Center, we believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. This mural stands as a testament to the beauty and innovation that are born from the pursuit of knowledge,” said Jennifer Smith, Zions Bancorporation Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Operations O cer. “In appreciation of Midvale City’s RDA for choosing our site for this mural, we are making a donation to the Midvale Boys & Girls Club, because our local children are our future innovators.”
That check came to a whopping $5,000; a generous gift that will be used to serve the kids in the Midvale community.
“I want to express my gratitude to Zions Bancorporation for their commitment to innovation and sustainability. Their support extends beyond environmental e orts; it’s about fostering a future that prioritizes both our community and our planet,” said Mayor Marcus Stevenson. “Their generous $5,000 donation to the Midvale Boys and Girls Club demonstrates their dedication to our community and belief in the potential of our local youth, who are the innovators of tomorrow.”
Murals are popping up all over Midvale. Is it a temporary, fashionable and meaningless trend that will die with time?
“I’d like people to know that murals seem like they are ‘trending,’” Burke said. “There’s something really deep in our DNA about leaving a mark in their own way.”
Pet Assistance on Wheels
He believes that public art plays a crucial role in enhancing our surroundings, sparking conversations, and fostering a sense of belonging. With its ability to adapt and evolve, public art will continue to thrive and inspire future generations.
“I remember looking back on art in Utah, like spiral getty. There’s a history of land art and working at a huge scale in this area. Feels great to tie into that history, to interject a little into the conversation. A very obvious and visual “mark”, I’m excited to be a part of the long history of people.”
Burke has painted all over the United States, Ecuador, Ukraine and Haiti. He likes to do the majority of his work near his home in Reno, NV to be with his wife and two small children.
THE FOLLOWING
NOVEMBER 2024 CITY NEWSLETTER
MIDVALE. UTAH. GOV
Salt Lake County Voters
The following information is from the Salt Lake County Clerk’s o ce:
• Due to the number of contests and candidates, ballots for this election will be two pages. We are encouraging voters to return both pages, regardless of how many contests they vote. For more details on what’s included in your ballot, visit slco.to/ballot.
• Visit SaltLakeCounty.gov/clerk/elections/2024-general-election to view:
o Voter Lookup Tool
o Drop box locations
o Early Voter Center locations
o Election Day Vote Centers locations
Important dates include:
• October 11 – Logic and Accuracy Demonstration at the Salt Lake County Government Center, 10 a.m. This is open to the public. Logic & Accuracy tests verify that voting machines and tabulation equipment work correctly before Election Day.
• October 15 – Ballots mailed to all active, registered voters
• October 22 to November 1 – Early Voting begins at the Salt Lake County Government Center
• October 25 – Last day to register and receive a by-mail ballot
• October 29 to November 1 – Early in-person voting opens at additional locations. Midvale City will not serve as an early voting center.
• November 4 – All ballots returned via USPS must be postmarked no later than this day
• November 5 – Election Day
o Election Day Vote Centers are open from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
o Voters who are eligible to vote in the election may vote at ANY Vote Center listed below on Election Day. Midvale City Hall will serve as a Vote Center on election day.
o Valid Identi cation is required.
o Voters may drop o their vote-by-mail ballot at a Vote Center during polling hours - no need to wait in line!
Midvale’s Main Street Shines: RDA Wins APA Beehive Award for Community-Driven Transformation
We are delighted to share the exciting news that the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) of Midvale City has been honored with the American Planning Association (APA) Utah Beehive Award of Excellence for our “Voices of Main Street: Reigniting a Community-Centered Street” project. This esteemed award highlights our unwavering commitment to transforming Midvale’s historic Main Street into a vibrant, inviting urban space.
A Triumph of Community Collaboration
At the heart of our project’s success lies the invaluable participation of our community. We extend our deepest gratitude to the residents who took part in the Main Street Urban Design Survey. Your insights and feedback were instrumental in crafting a vision that genuinely re ects the aspirations and needs of our community.
Key Enhancements
The revitalization of Main Street encompasses several transformative improvements:
• Streetscape Upgrades: We’ve enhanced sidewalks, street lighting, and landscaping to foster a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
• Public Art Installations: Local artists have contributed beautiful murals and sculptures, adding vibrancy and cultural signi cance to the area.
• Facade Improvement Grants: Business owners receive nancial incentives to upgrade the exteriors of their buildings, contributing to a cohesive and attractive streetscape.
• Community Events: Main Street is being established as a hub for local activities and events, fostering community spirit and engagement.
Thank you to everyone who has supported and contributed to this project. Stay tuned for more updates and upcoming events as we continue to celebrate and enhance the heart of Midvale City. For more information, visit Midvale.Utah.gov/MidvaleMain.
